Herbert Brown III

Location: appalachian state university - boone, nc - usa

About me

Herb Brown is a professor and program director in the business and information technology education program at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He directs the Graduate program in New Media/Global Education and Online Teaching and Learning at Appstate. He has taught information technology, instructional technology, and business education courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for 20 years and served 10 years in the role of Director of Technology for several universities. He has held teaching and administrative positions at James Madison University, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, the University of South Carolina and Appalachian State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Vocational Education with a cognate in Computer Information Systems from Virginia Tech. His articles have appeared in Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, EDUCAUSE Quarterly, and the NABTE Journal.

Interests

online teaching and learning, career and technical education, business & information technology education

Skills

online teaching and learning, teaching methodology, information technology education, web development/design

Website

http://edtech.appstate.edu

Activity

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Michael, In general, what types of specific things do you have in your expectations? Do you have expectations for both the students as well as you the instructor? Should we have instructor expectations as well? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Richard, Blended/Hybrid courses are very popular. Even an instructor using a CMS for management of course content and assignments is great as it provides accountability to everyone. I would use a CMS for every course and gather ALL work through an electronic process so I don't lose papers and assignments and students know that they submitted it or not, when the submitted it, and have ready access to their grades. By posting materials on a CMS the students have 24/7 access to all course content and can't claim the lost it or didn't receive a copy. I teach all of… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Richard, The research supports that online and blended learning continue to grow at very strong rates. We should continue to see this growth in to the foreseeable future. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Judy, You can teach in almost anything online until you start to do more video conferencing . :-) Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Viktoria, I think it is interesting that you suggest a smaller ratio for a blended course than a fully online course. For me, the ratio would be the reverse and I would prefer a few more in a blended than an online because of the logistics of facilitating an online course. Can you explain a little more why a smaller blended works for you - I am curious.... thanks Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Ernest, I agree that there are many factors that influence this ratio. For my classes and the way I have them designed, I find that 10-15 for graduate level courses and 15-20 for undergraduate courses works best for me. These are of course not "hard" numbers, but they work for most classes. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Jason, I have also told students many times to not wait until the last minute to complete the assignment or ask a question about the assignment. If the assignment is due at midnight, I usually get one or two that email me at 11:30 pm and tell me they don't understand and ask for help and expect that I am online 30 minutes before the assignment is due. At one point I even put in my syllabus that I won't answer questions about bigger project assignments 24 hours before the assignment is due - if they didn't start the project… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Maureen , Some students need a little more push or encouragement to get that help, just like in traditional on ground courses. Are you also proactive in contacting them individually if they are struggling in their assignments and grades and try to encourage them to work with you to get their issues fixed or do you primarily just rely on them to come to you? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

corinne, You are very detailed and thorough. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Judy, I also find that it provides a very clear report of a students progress toward the ultimate performance on any assignment or project. Clearly defined expectations allow the student to succeed at the highest level and they clearly understand what that level is. Use of rubrics tend to head off confrontations with students over objective assignments since the objectiveness is quantified. Herbert Brown III

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